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Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2025
From Belgium to Switzerland
8 days from Antwerp, Belgium to Basel, Switzerland
August 08 – 15, 2025
Van Loon Cruises The Gentleman
 We’ve partnered once again with Transcend Cruises, and they’ve chartered a brand-new river ship, The Gentleman, for our 2025 Rhine River all-gay summer cruise! This vessel is ideal for an exclusive LGBTQ+ sailing, and we’ve curated a unique itinerary. From Antwerp, Belgium to Basel, Switzerland, we’ll explore five countries during the best time of year to cruise Europe’s rivers, starting with the excitement of Antwerp Pride weekend!
Travelling 766 miles from the Swiss Alps to Rotterdam in The Netherlands, the majestic River Rhine is truly one of Europe’s greatest international waterways. Enshrined in the culture and literature of the six countries through which it passes, no other river in the world has so many old and famous cities on its banks. From the comfort of your first-class floating hotel, your Rhine River cruise will transport you effortlessly through the most enchanting landscapes that change constantly from the gentle and placid to the most sheer and dramatic.
This is an all-inclusive trip, which means all meals, drinks, transfers, activities, and on-board entertainment are all included in your package.
Journey Highlights
Sail Five Incredible Countries!
• The best value aboard a one-of-a-kind LGBTQ+ exclusive sailing
• Sail 7-nights from Belgium to Switzerland aboard one of Europe’s newest river ships, The Gentleman.
• Performances by some of Europe’s top drag performers.
• Nightly entertainment by renowned DJ Matt Consola.
• Chef Todd Erickson, renowned TV personality, winner of Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay, and LGBTQ+ advocate, will curate theme dinners, lead hands-on culinary classes, and host guest culinary competitions.
• A dedicated team of LGBTQ+ Cruise Managers throughout your cruise.
• Personal onboard LGBTQ+ Concierge Service to arrange independent exploration on your schedule or participate in our complimentary small group excursions.
• Your shipboard family will deliver service from the heart in a comfortable, open, and accepting environment that will have you returning every year.
What's Included?
• Roundtrip Airport Transfers: Transfers from designated airports on published program dates. Arrival transfers are offered from the Brussels, Belgium airport to The Gentleman, and departure transfers are provided to the Basel or Zurich, Switzerland airports.
• 7-Night Accommodations: aboard The Gentleman in one of seven (7) stateroom categories with a fully stocked minibar (replenished daily) with water, juices, soft drinks, beers, and spirits.
• All Meals Onboard: All meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, featuring curated nightly themed dinners and culinary experiences by our celebrity guest chef, Todd Erickson
• 24-Hour Coffee & Tea Service
• Unlimited Premium Open Bar: House wines, beers, spirits, zero-alcohol option
• Free-flow Beverages: specialty coffees, teas, soft drinks, and juices.
• Shore Excursions: Six excursions with expert guides, applicable gratuities, QuietVox listening devices, and options for gentle walkers are included.
• Onboard Entertainment: Featuring performances by the top talents throughout the cruise and hands-on culinary and mixology demonstrations.
• Concierge Service: Dedicated cruise management team and concierge to facilitate individual shipboard and shoreside requests.
• Fitness & Wellness: Access to fitness center, wellness spaces, and E-bicycles.
• Unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi: With access throughout the ship.
Welcome Aboard Brand New River Cruiser The Gentleman
The Gentleman is a river cruiser that – contrary to other ships – was designed from the inside out. It is fitted
with all the luxury any guest could ask for, with a sporty, yacht-like appearance.
Where naval architects often work from the inside out, an interior with a ship around it, at Van Loon Cruises we work
exactly the other way around. The Gentleman streamlined shape is leading, giving the ship an elegant and dynamic yacht appearance.
As a passenger you do not have to make any concessions. The set-up is such that you can enjoy every luxury on board.
Tranquility and Warmth
Creating designs with tranquility and warmth are important in spaces where
people come together. Natural fabrics in calm colours and in different
textures contribute to a contemporary balance. Large art walls with great
memory value give intimacy and a nice atmosphere at any time of the day.
Luxurious Atmosphere
The contemporary balanced design is filled with elements of surprise. The
interior parts are sophisticated and reveal aesthetic language in the choice of exclusive materials such as; wood,
marble, glass, bronze metal and leather. Matching handcrafted accessories give the lounge an exiting and luxurious atmosphere.
Attractive and Ergonomic
To achieve a natural feeling, round shapes and flowing lines are
used. Curves break through straight and symmetrical lines. The playful effect
creates an attractive and ergonomic interior. Biophilic design is bringing nature into our interior. By bringing the outdoors in, a
calming atmosphere is created.
Truly Remarkable Experience
In conclusion, The Gentleman offers a truly remarkable river cruising experience. Its
modern yacht-like design, use of premium materials, and attention to detail make
it an enticing choice for travelers seeking adventure and luxury. The ability to open
floor-to-ceiling windows on the middle and upper decks adds to the immersive
experience of taking in the breathtaking scenery. Furthermore, the ship’s expansive
sun deck caters to both relaxation and active pursuits.
Memorable Journey
The onboard amenities leave nothing to be desired, with a
spacious and elegant panorama salon, a luxurious lounge at
the stern, a stylish restaurant, a welcoming hotel reception, a
dedicated tour leader’s desk, and the convenience of an elevator
connecting all decks. The Gentleman promises not just a cruise,
but a lavish and memorable journey along the river.
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Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2025
From Belgium to Switzerland
Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 08 Aug |
Antwerp, Belgium |
|
PM |
| 09 Aug |
Ghent / Bruges, Belgium |
AM |
PM |
| 10 Aug |
Rotterdam / Amsterdam, Netherlands |
AM |
PM |
| 11 Aug |
Dusseldorf, Germany |
AM |
PM |
| 12 Aug |
Rhine Scenic Sailing |
|
|
| 13 Aug |
Mannheim / Heidelberg, Germany |
AM |
PM |
| 14 Aug |
Strasbourg, France |
AM |
PM |
| 15 Aug |
Basel, Switzerland |
AM |
|
Day 1 - Antwerp, Belgium
Once you’ve cleared customs at the Brussels International Airport (BRU), you'll be greeted by a Transcend Cruises representative, transferred to Antwerp, and embark upon your floating hotel for the week, The Gentleman. Enjoy lunch onboard and spend the afternoon enjoying the myriad of activities planned during Antwerp Pride Weekend! Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Welcome Reception and culinary experience onboard hosted by Chef Todd Erickson.
Day 2 - Ghent / Bruges, Belgium
On your second day in Belgium, visit either Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and a well-preserved medieval city, or vibrant Ghent, the capital of East Flanders. Ghent is lively, full of medieval architecture, and pedestrian-friendly. With your guide, stroll from the Church of Saint James to the Friday Market square, passing the Great Butchers’ Hall and elegant trading houses. Your tour ends at the Belfort bell tower. Enjoy a foodie tour and some free time to explore Ghent before returning to the ship.
Alternatively, take a scenic drive to Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North" for its UNESCO-designated center. Once a hub for the international cloth trade, Bruges boasts beautiful churches and mansions. Your local guide will lead you to the canal cruise terminal for a boat ride through its picturesque canals, flanked by swans and historic homes. After lunch on your own, enjoy incredible views from the Belfry Tower before returning to the ship.
Day 3 - Rotterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This morning, we arrive to Rotterdam. A thoroughly modern city —you’ll soon understand why it’s sometimes called “Manhattan on the Meuse”: The Maas Tower, the Montevideo, the Millennium Tower and the spectacular Erasmus Bridge make for a dazzling skyline. Begin your day by exploring this modern city on a Dutch culinary stroll, with a stop at the architectural milestone, Market Hall. Erected in 2014, it’s known for its futuristic look and unique Dutch and global culinary offerings. Later, head to Kinderdijk to discover why windmills are such an iconic symbol of Holland; marvel at their engineering and learn about their role in changing the course of Dutch history.
Alternatively, guests may opt to spend the day in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ largest city is celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2025. This morning, start your day like a local with our expert guide on the IC Direct high-speed train for a 40-minute ride to Amsterdam’s city center. Following, we enjoy a art-historian-led tour of the Van Gough Museum before heading off on a lively Foodie and Beer Tour of Amsterdam, which has grown to be one of Europe’s top culinary destinations. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure, enjoying everything the city has to offer before returning to the ship via high-speed train for dinner and a lively sailaway party from Rotterdam.
Day 4 - Dusseldorf, Germany
Enjoy a scenic sail this morning, enjoying everything your floating hotel offers. Enjoy a cooking class with Chef Todd Erickson, or opt for our Bloody Mary Bar set-up on the sun deck this morning as you enjoy the passing scenery. We arrive at Dusseldorf after a beautiful lunch outdoors (weather permitting) on our Sun Deck. A city that inspires diversity and is built close to the water: The Rhine metropolis of Düsseldorf awaits you with modern architecture around the Medienhafen. Dusseldorf’s historic city center is also known as “the longest bar in the world”. In over 300 pubs, the freshly tapped Altbier brings a wide variety of people together. We join our city tour by walking the luxury boulevards such as the “Kö” and strolling through the green parks and the beautiful Rhine promenade. Guest may join a lively pub tour of Dusseldorf or head off with our shipboard Wellness Expert for an e-bike panoramic tour of the city! Tonight, enjoy an incredible drag performance and dance the night away with DJ Matt Consola.
Day 5 - Scenic Sailing The Rhine River
Sailing the Rhine River today is to experience quintessential Germany at its best: a picture-postcard landscape. This magical river quietly winds across Central Germany’s vast plains and lush valleys. This morning, choose to join a lively guest cooking competition with Chef Todd Erickson and our crew as the judges! Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing massage or simply soak up some sun on the top deck. This afternoon, enjoy our Tea Dance on deck with DJ Matt Consola and a very special guest!
Day 6 - Mannheim / Heidelberg, Germany
Today, we dock at Mannheim and join a short coach ride to Heidelberg, sometimes called the most romantic city in Germany. It is home to the nation’s oldest university, a charming baroque Old Town along the banks of the Neckar River, and stunning castle ruins overlooking the town. Your tour will take you to the castle, with its views of the red-tile roofs of the city below, the handsome Old Bridge and the wooded hillsides beyond, and then into Old Town, where you will see the late-Gothic Holy Spirit Church, the Student Prison and the longest pedestrian street in Germany.
Day 7 - Strasbourg, France
Upon arrival in Strasbourg, which has been controlled over the centuries by either France or Germany, the city—cross-cultural and bilingual—offers a delightful combination of old and new and French and German characteristics.
Set off for the pier in downtown Strasbourg, where you will board a panoramic boat that will take you to the famous district of Petite France. Its canals, charming houses with colored, half-timbered walls, and narrow alleyways will enchant you. You will glide past the Tanners Quarter, the Covered Bridges (Ponts Couverts), and the Panoramic Terrace on the Vauban Dam. Our cruise will continue through the German Quarter. Following the French defeat in 1870, Germany planned to make Strasbourg the capital of the Reichsland or Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine. This district referred to as the “new town”, represented a new form of urban planning, featuring wide roads, monumental administrative and cultural buildings, and luxurious private homes. Landscaping also played a crucial role in this impressive urban planning scheme. Then, you will get to see the European Parliament Building, completed in 1999, which was designed to host monthly sessions of the European Parliament. The architecture of the building is based on a combination of circles and ellipses, with the building laid out and organized into several identified areas. Finally, you’ll discover the Human Rights Building, which is where the European Court of Human Rights is located.
Day 8 - Basel, Switzerland
Following breakfast, we bid you farewell and provide airport transportation to Basel (BSL) or the Zurich (ZRH) International Airport with memories of a remarkable cruise.
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